Classical Dance Center, a ballet studio in Tustin, is gearing up for the Youth America Grand Prix ballet competition finals in New York, after placing in the top 12 during its competitive debut.

The Youth America Grand Prix is the world’s largest student ballet competition. Each year, ballet studios from around the world compete for a chance to go to the finals in New York. The YAGP offers scholarships to leading dance schools, and also offers master classes for those who make it to the finals. In the master classes, students are given a chance to learn from some of the top ballet instructors in the world.

Classical Dance Center’s ballerinas recently performed in the YAGP and placed in the top 12, thus earning a trip to the finals in New York. Though the center has been around for nearly two decades, this is its first time competing in the YAGP.

“We’ve finally had a group of students that are so magnificent and so beautiful, and I’m so proud that I thought ‘This is our time to showcase these dancers,'” said Elizabeth Molak-Huebner, founder and choreographer of Classical Dance Center.

Classical Dance Center dancers range between 9 and 15 years old, with an average age of 13. On an average week, they practice somewhere between 8 and 14 hours – no easy feat according to Isobel Tweedt, 13, one of the dancers.

“It’s a lot of work, every day you wake up and there’s times where you just can’t move, you’re so sore,” said Tweedt. “It’s so hard, but if you’re here, you love to dance, so it’s all worth it.”

The 11 members of the Classical Dance Center ensemble are currently raising money to help them attend the YAGP finals. They need a total of $12,750 to pay for entry fees, hotels, travel, and other costs associated with trip.

They are relying primarily on donations to reach their goal by the finals in April. So far, donations have come from various sources, including local businesses and anonymous donors.

The Classical Dance Center was established nearly 20 years ago by Huebner, a former Joffrey ballerina. Huebner was in Joffrey’s second company as well as his main company. Eventually she settled down in California and had three children, all of whom are part of the Classical Dance Center ensemble.

“Tustin is just such a wonderful community,” said Huebner. “We have just fallen in love with everyone here, it’s been a wonderful experience.”